Nick Friedell

(12:45 PM)

Hello from the Verizon Center everybody ... Sorry I'm late. Had to give a little update on ESPN 1000. Let's get this chat rolling ...

Robert Castaneda (Bridgeview IL)

In regards to your article that Buckets is tired, why can't Thibs see that but the opposing team does?'

Nick Friedell

(12:46 PM)

Thibs sees it -- he just doesn't want to admit it. That's the difference. Even Butler admitted he's a little tired this morning ...

John (Chicago) [via mobile]

Dunleavy only 6 shots in 27 mins last game? Especially bad, since he made 4 of them.

Nick Friedell

(12:49 PM)

Yeah, I'd expect Dunleavy to shoot more tonight. Hell, I'd expect him to play more tonight. I think the Bulls need him out there to stretch the floor and knock down a few shots.

Derrick (Garden City)

Hello Nick, what is one adjustment that you would make if you were Thibs?

Nick Friedell

(12:51 PM)

I would play Dunleavy more and give Butler a few minutes more rest during the first half. I would close games with Augustin, Butler, Dunleavy, Noah and Gibson.

Rich (Pittsburgh)

Clearly, the bulls lack that one player that a team defines as their closer. As a fan I know who I would like to see closing out games (and its not Kirk). Has the team relegated that role to DJ or are we going to continue to be "Closer by Committee"?

Nick Friedell

(12:54 PM)

Augustin is the closer for this team the rest of the way this season. He's the only guy who can create his own shot.

Matt (Chicago)

Nick, if Rose comes back next year and the Bulls get Melo, will Thibs finally understand the importance of limiting minutes? I understand that this is how he coaches, but he has to realize what he is doing isn't sustainable. It makes no sense to run these guys into the ground in the regular season.

Nick Friedell

(12:57 PM)

On the Rose front: I can promise you one thing whether Melo comes to the Bulls or not. Thibs will be very cautious with Rose. Every minute will be watched early on.

Tommy (Chicago)

I'm not going to sit here and blame the refs for this series. But would you agree that jump-ball call instead of a timeout was probably the worst call we've seen so far? Such a crucial call and so obviously wrong

Nick Friedell

(12:59 PM)

The Bulls caught a bad break on that one -- but the one thing I'll say about the officiating has been it has been consistently inconsistent. Both teams have been dealing with a 'tough whistle' as Thibs would say.

Joe (West Town)

Percentage chance we actually pull off a win tonight in Washington?

Nick Friedell

(1:00 PM)

I actually think the Bulls are going to win tonight. That might sound crazy given what has happened at the end of the last two games, but I don't think the Bulls are ready to fold yet.

Jacob (Chicago)

Would a first round loss to the Wizards change the Bulls offseason plans? And would you consider it a blessing in disguise if it made them go after Carmelo harder?

Nick Friedell

(1:05 PM)

No matter what the Bulls do in the postseason -- that won't change a thing. Carmelo is the number one priority if they can make it happen.

Don (Syracuse)

It almost seems like in late game situation the team gets too conservative. Beal and Nene had 5 fouls a piece with 5 or 6 minutes left in regulation and the Bulls got conservative and stopped attacking. I think that Jo or Taj could have drawn a foul on Nene before 2 seconds left in OT. I have seen this from the team before, any thoughts?

Nick Friedell

(1:09 PM)

The biggest problem for the Bulls is that they don't know who is going to take the shots late. Once Ariza switched onto D.J. Augustin late in Game 2 they weren't sure where to turn. Gibson talked about how he expected to see different people on the floor late -- after shootaround this morning -- so we'll see what happens.

Nick Friedell

(1:10 PM)

Guys, I've got to get out of here. I will talk to you guys next week. Thanks for the questions. Talk to you later.